Device for automatically closing or opening railway-gates.



Patented luIy I6, I90I.

v H. SIEGMANN. DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CLOSING 0R OPENING RAILWAY GATES.

(Application filed July 14, 1900.) (No Nodal.) 4 Sheets-Shoot l.

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No. 678,430. Patented IuIy I6, I90l. H. SIEGMANN. DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CLOSING OR OPENING RAILWAY GATES.

(Application filed July 14, 1900.) (No Model.) 4 Shoots-Sheet 2.

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DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CLOSING OR OPENING RAILWAY GATES.

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DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY-CLOSING 0R OPENING RAILWAY GATES.

' (Application filed July 14, 1900.) (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFroE.

HEINRICH SIEGMANN, OF GROSSENWIEDER, GERMANY.

DEVICE FOR AUTOMATlCAllLY CLOSING OR OPENING RAILWAY-GATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,430, dated July 16, 1 9 O1.

Application filed J'uly14,1900. Serial No. 23,596. (No model.)

To all whom. it mag concern:

Be it known that I, HEINRICH SIEGMANN, a subject of the German Emperor, and a resident of Grossenwieder, in the Empireof Germany, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Devices forAntomatically Closing or Opening Railway-Gates from the Train, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to a device by means of which the gates used for the closing 7 of railway-crossings can be operated automatically by the train itself in passing from either direction. This device is so constructed that the train, no matter from which direction it comes, will close the gate at'the respective crossing before it reachesj'the said crossing, while after the crossing is passed the gate will be-automatically opened by the train.

The device is essentially composed of three different mechanisms, which are fitted up at a certain distance from each other. Both the end mechanisms are actuated immediately from the train, and both are connected with the intermediate mechanism by means of cords, wires, chains, compressed-air pipes, or the like. The intermediate mechanism is acting directly upon the gate itself.

In the accompanying.drawings, in which similar characters refer throughout to similar parts, Figure 1 is a side view of the entire device. Fig. 2 is a side view of the intermediate part. Fig. 3 is a top view of the same. Fig. at is a vertical sectional view of the said intermediate mechanism. Figs. 5 and 6 are side views of modifications of the tread-barand connected mechanism. Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10 are side views of different forms of treadbar-returning mechanism. Fig. 11 is a side View of a spring returning mechanism for one of the rollers. Fig. 12 is a front view of a modification of the mechanism for keeping a roller normally in place on the shaft. Fig. 13 is a front view of a modification of the rollers and drum-engaging device. I Figs. 14, 15, and 16 are views of portions of modifications of the releasing mechanism for the treadbar-locking devices.

In the preferred form of construction, as shown in Fig. 1, corresponding tread-bars A and B are arranged adjacent to one of the main rails of the track, one on each side of the railway-gate andat a certain distance therefrom three hundred to six hundred yardsthis distance being so adjusted that the said tread-bars are within the reach of a roller arranged upon the engine or some other part of the train and adapted to be depressed thereby, it being understood that a certain vertical movement is allowed to the said treadbars, or the said tread-bars may be actuated by the wheel of the engine, if so desired. Each of these two bars A and Bis of roof-like longitudinal section, asshown. These treadbars will therefore be depressed by the roller or wheel aforesaid, no matter in which direction the train is passing, this being effected gradually and without any sudden shock. Since from practical reasonsthe movement of the said tread-bars can be only limited in degree, the same would not be sufficient to close the gate. I therefore increase this movement either immediately at the spot or in the twogear-wheels of dilferent diameters and rigidly connected to each other, as 3 and 4, (see Fig. 5,) which wheels are on the same pin and engage with suitable rack-bars 5 and 6. The rack-bar engaging with the smaller wheel is connected to the vertically-adjustable tread-bar, while the rack-bar connected with the larger wheel is connected tothecord, &c., 2, or I may replace the larger wheel'3 by a drum, upon which the cord 2 is immediately wound up, as shown in Fig. '6 of the drawings.

The tread-bars A and B are preferably guided in a vertical direction and have to be kept in their highest position when at rest. The means used for this purpose may be of difierent natures. Thus it is possible to combine the guiding and the retaining motion in one mechanism. This may be efiected in the IOO manner shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, apost 7 being arranged upon the road-bed, which-may be in the form of a pipe, while the tread-bar A or B is connected to a pipe 8, loosely inclosing the post 7, so as to be adjustable thereon in a vertical direction. By now attaching a spring 9 to the interior of the pipe 8, which is compressed upon the depression of the tread-bars A and B, both the guiding and the retaining action may be produced by one and the same mechanism. It is preferable to arrange this mechanism at frequent intervals at each of the said tread-bars in order to insure theirprompt operation. It is also possible to separate the guides from the spring-actuating part, as shown in Fig. 8, making use of a fiat spring 10 or, as shown in Fig. 9, of a laminated spring 10, in which case the tread-bar should also be guided and supported at several places.

In employing the invention on roads where fast trains are running almost exclusively, the greater velocity of the trains will necessitate the use of tread-barsA and B of considerable length. Since such longer tread-bars are liable to tilt within their guideways, it is preferable to employ a different form of guides from that described, the said tread-bars being arranged as shown in Fig. 10. In this modified form of construction the said tread-bars are so arranged that their ends are placed beneath the curved ends of rigid bearings 35. This will cause them to be depressed by the roller in connection with the train, as aforesaid, like a one-armed lever until they have reached their lowest position. As soon as the roller connected to the train after having depressed the tread-bar A or B has reached the middle part of the same the said rail has to be retained in its lowest depressed position by a suitable locking device until the train has passed the crossing. A locking device preferably employed is shown in Fig. 1. It consists, essentially, of a pawl 11, which at the right moment engages with a stud or pin 12, fixed on the tread-bar A or B, and which thereby retains the said tread-bar in its lowest position. This is eifected by use of a spring 13 or a weight 14, attached to said pawl ll, or by other appropriate means. To the pawl 11 is also attached one end of the cord or wire 15, which will be actuated so as to stop the action of the cord or wire 2, or, in other words, release the locking device and allow the gate to be opened as soon as the train has depressed the tread-bar 011 the other side of the gate. It is also to be clearly understood that I may employ other means in place of wires or cords 2 and 15. This wire or cord may have a link of spiral spring, so as to offset the suddenness of action developed at A and ll when depressed by a fast-moving train, and to give a gradual movement to the part 0.

The intermediate part of the mechanism 0 in direct connection with the gate, as has already been stated, is represented in Figs.

2 to t and consists, essentially, of a horizontally-arranged rotatable shaft 16, upon which two rollers 17 and 19, with an intermediate drum 18, are arranged, each of which has an independent rotary movement around the said shaft, while the two rollers aforesaid, 17 and 19, are also laterally adjustable upon the shaft 16. A stationary guide 20 is provided which, entering a peripheral groove in said drum 18, prevents the lateral displacement of the latter. The entire arrangement is best seen in detail in Fig. t of the drawings. As shown, the drum 18 is mounted on a sleeve 21, surrounding the said shaft 16, and the said sleeve is rotatable and laterally adjustable independentof both the shaft 16 and the drum 18. To one point of the periphery of the said drum is attached the end of a chain or wire 23 or its equivalent, the other extremity of which is attached to the gate 22 in front of its pivot. Upon the rotation of the drum 18 the chain or cord 23 is wound thereupon, thus pulling the gate down and closing the crossing, while when the drum 18 is ro tated in the opposite direction the gate 22 is raised by its counterweight 2i, thus opening the crossing. The other ends of the cords or chains 2 from those secured to the levers 1 are fastened to the peripheries of the rollers 17 and 19, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) the attachment being such that while the cords or wires 2 are unwound cords 23 and 25 are wound up, and vice versa. The wire or cord 2 of the roller 17 is unwound from the top and the cord or wire 2 of the roller 19 is unwound from the bottom of its respective roller, as will be seen from Fig. 1. This arrangement insures the same sense of rotation to the shaft 16 and to the rollers and drum arranged thereon, no matter from which direction the pull is exerted.

The cords or chains 25 are passed over rollers 26 and are weighted down by weights 27, so that they will have the tendency to retard the rollers 17 and 19 in unwinding, but to aid them in winding up the wires or cords 2. It is evident that the function of the weighted chains 25 may, however, be performed by any other appropriate means. Thus in the construction shown in Fig. 11 one end of a spiral spring 34 may be attached to any fixed point 33, the other end of the spring being attached to the roller 17, and a second spring may be secured to the roller 19, for it is obvious that the spiral springs 3t after the pull from the wires or cords 2 ceases will return the said rollers 17 and 19 to their former position.

The rollers 17 and 19 have respectively upon their peripheries grooves 17 and 19, in which pins 36 and 37, Figs. 3 and 4, respectively, enter. Said pins are mounted on horizontal levers 36 and 37 and are pulled at corresponding ends toward each other by weighted cords or chains36 and 37", so that they will tend to retain the rollers 17 and 19 in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawg I I ings. The weighing down of the said cords or wires 36 and 37 b may be effected by weights or springs. The same effect upon the said rollers 17 and 19 may, however, be produced by the use of springs 38, mounted upon the ends of the shaft 16. (See Fig. 12.) The two rollers 1'7 and 19 are further provided with projections K upon their faces adjacent to the said drum, which latter is provided upon its sides with the projections K, adapted to be engaged by the projections K, so that the said rollers when rotated can engage with the said drum and give it a rotating motion. Upon the outside face of each of the said rollers 17 and 19 a groove 28 is provided, (not shown in the drawings,) in which engages a pin 29, attached to a disk 30, the latter being rigidly connected or keyed to the said shaft 16. In place of the coupling just described between the said rollers and the disks any kind of coupling, suchjas an ordinary clutch, may be used. Upon each of the disks 30 there is further provided upon its outside face a projection or pin 31, the object and operation of which will be explained hereinafter.

Mounted upon the shaft 16 is a sleeve 21, hereinbefore mentioned,while drum 18 is carried or has its bearing upon said sleeve. (See Fig. 4.) This drum, however, while revolving about the said sleeve, is not connected thereto, and the sleeve is free to move laterally upon shaft 16 to the'right and to the left, while the drum is retained in position by the stationary guide 20, which fits or enters a peripheral groove in said drum, as shown in Fig. 4. Said rollers 17 and 19 carry hubs 17 and 19 the ends of which are so shaped that when rotated theyact upon the adjacent end of the said sleeve 21, driving it to the right or left on the shaft 16, (see construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4,) so that it engages 0r bears against at its opposite end the hub of the remaining roller 19 (or 17) and forces the latter laterally along the said shaft until the projection or pin 29 of a disk 30 enters the short groove formed on the outer side of the said roller, thus locking together said roller and disk, and since this pin is carried on the disk 30, which is securely fastened to shaft 16, the said roller is thus locked to the shaft. The described endwise displacement may also be effected by other means. 7 Thus a larger diameter may be given to the said lateral rollers 17 and 19 when compared to the smaller diameter of the intermediate drum 18, a coupling being provided between the drum 18 and the laterally-movable rollers 17 and 19,which follows and assists the lateral displacement. Such coupling is shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings. In this latter form of construction the faces of the lateral rollers opposite the intermediate drum 18 are provided with inclined pins 39. Upon the rotation of one of the latter rollers its pin will place itself behind the small engaging pin 40, arranged upon the periphery of the said drum, thus effecting the coupling of this lateral roller with the intermediate drum and as the two further rotate drawing the roller 17 or 19 toward the drum 18, the latter being held laterally stationary by the guide 20, the hub of said roller meantime shoving sleeve 21 before it along said sliaft. As will be apparent from Fig. 13, it will be therefore sufficient to provide the sleeve 21 with straight ends for transmitting this lateral movement to the other roller. A lever 32 (see Fig. 15) is furthermore provided at each end of the shaft 16, which lever is pivoted at a fixed point and one arm of which is adapted to project across the path of the projection or pin 31 on said disk 30 and which is therefore moved by the said projection upon each rotation of the said disk. To the other ends of the levers are connected the ends of the chains or wires 15, which are connected with the locking devices. This arrangement will cause the retaining or looking devices of the said tread-bars A and B to be released as soon as the .train has passed the crossing. The same effect may be produced, as represented in Fig. 14:,by small drums 32*, attached to the ends of the shaft 16 and having the cords attached thereto. Stops 32 are provided on the said drums. This arrangement has the advantage that it is immaterial in which direction the shaft 16 is turning for releasing the locking device, provided that the cords or chains 15 before this rotation takes place are brought in the position shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings. A further simplification of this essential arrangement and the one preferably used is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5 of the drawings. In this construction a double lever 32 is provided upon the end of the shaft 16, one end of the said lever being connected to the cord leading to the retaining or locking device of the tread-bar A, while the other end of the said lever is connected to the cord leading to the retaining or locking device connected to the tread bar B. It may sometimes happen that one of the cords by an accident of some sort becomes longer or shorter than the other. In this case the stopping and retaining device attached to the shorter would be sooner released than the stopping device of the other. If such acci dent should happen to the second retaining device, the first would not be released at all. The gate would therefore always remain closed, because a pull from the opposite direction would also fail to reopen the gate from the reasons just mentioned. In order to prevent this accident, I arrange a series of outwardly-projecting pins 31 upon the disk 30. (See Fig. 16.) The wires or cords 15 are in this case preferably attached to three-armed 1evers 41 in the manner shown in Fig. 16, the

third arms of the said levers placing themconstruction there are pairs of said pins 31 arranged upon the disk 30, between which the ends of the levers work, it is obvious that a shortening or lengthening of the wires or cords 15 cannot any further inj uriously affect the release of the retaining devices, inasmuch as the retaining device of the said treadbar A, which is first depressed by the train, is already released before the second treadbar 13 has been completelydepressed by the train. As the wires or cords 15 are attached to the three-armed levers, it is immaterial in which direction the shaft 16 is turned. The shaft 16 may be rotated to its normal position after the release of the locking devices by any suitable means.

In connection with the mechanical construction of the gate it has also been found advisable to employ an.alarm or signal device or bell operated, preferably, by a small battery and giving timely notice of the approach of the train. \Vith this object in view I therefore place in proximity to the gate 22 a bell or signal device 16, (see Fig. 1,) connected to a battery 47 and tread-bars A and B by wire 4.). Each of the said tread-bars carries contacts which are so arranged that upon depressing the tread-bar a circuit is closed and the bell continues ringing until the train has passed the second tread-bar, whence the contact is broken and the alarm ceases. It may be found advisable to place the contacts even at a greater distance from the gate than the actuating tread-bars owing to a curve in the railroad, &c.

The operation of the invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings when taken in connection with the following statement: If a train approaches from the right side, the roller attached to the train depresses the tread-bar A as soon as it strikes the latter. As soon as the said roller has reached the middle of the said tread-bar the latter is retained by the retaining device in its lowest position and is kept in this position until the train is passed. At the same time the treadbar A has also moved the lever 1 or its equivalent, pulling the wire or cord This will cause the said wire or cord 2 of this side to be unwound from the roller 17, turning the latter upon the axle or shaft, which latter, however, remains still, said roller thus winding up upon itself the wire 25. After the roller 17 has run loose for a moment it engages, by means of the projections K, with the projections K of the drum l8, imparting the same rotary motion to the latter. This causes the cord 23, attached to the gate 22, to be wound upon the drum, thus pulling the gate down. At the same time the'hub 17 of the roller 17 has moved the sleeve 21 laterally upon the shaft 16, which in turn causes the lateral movement on the shaft 16 of the roller 19, so that the projection 29 of the disk 30 adj acent to said roller enters the groove or opening 28 of the roller 19. The latter is new conpled with the disk 30, so as to rotate therewith and also with the shaft 16, as the said disk is keyed to the shaft 16. The train can now pass the crossing, and as soon as it has passed over the tread-bar B the latter is also depressed by the train and retained in its depressed position by its respective retaining device. This has caused the wire or cord 2 of this side to be pulled in a horizontal direction, it having heretofore remained wound about its roller 19, thelatterhavinghad onlyalateral movement, (it being remembered that rollers 17 and 19 are loosely mounted on the said shaft 16,) which causes it to unwind from its roller 19. Since this roller 19 is now coupled to the shaft 16 by disk 80, as described heretofore, the said shaft now rotates with roller 19, thus causing the projections 31 of the disk 30 to strike against the levers 32, which are now given a rotary motion. This rotation is produced in a similar manner if the levers are replaced by small drums, &c. The wires or cords 15, leading to the stopping or looking pawl 11, being connected to these levers, it is obvious that the movement of the said levers will cause the release of the retaining devices, whereupon the tread-bars A and B are again raised by their springs. This in turn causes the release of the wires 2, which are rewound upon their rollers 17 and 19 by the weighted cords 25 or the spring 3t. As the rollers 17 and 19 in winding the cords up will be rotated in the direction opposite to their first movement, the coupling of the roller 17 and drum 18is also released, liberating drum 18, whereupon the gate 22 can be raised by its counterweight 24. The crossing is therefore opened, the same order of operations being repeated at the passing of the next train, it being immaterial Whether this train approaches from the right or the left, as the operations will obviously be repeated in exactly the same manner, even though the tread-bar B should be the first depressed by the train. The operation of the connected alarm-signal is clearly to be understood from the description preceding.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is

1. In an automatic railroad-crossing gate, adapted to be successively closed, retained closed and opened by a train passing from either direction, the combination of a gate, closing and opening mechanism in connection therewith, vertically-movable tread-bars located in the road-bed on each side of said gate, guides for each of said tread-bars, means for retaining said tread-bars in an upper position; a lever connected with each of said tread-bars, wires connecting said levers .and said mechanism, a pin on each of said treadbars, pawls adapted to engage said pins, and wires connecting said pawls and said mechanism, substantially as described.

2. In an automatic railroad-crossing gate, the combination of a vertically swinging gate,

a shaft, a drum on said shaft, rollers loosely mounted on said shaft on each side of said drum, means for coupling either of the rollers to said drum, wires or cords wound on said drum and connected with said gate,a guide engaging said drum, disks fixed on said shaft on the outside of each of said rollers,a pin on each of said disks adapted to enter a groove, one of which is formed in the outer face of each of said rollers, a projection on the outer face of each of said disks, levers engaged by said projections, vertically movable tread-bars, locking-pawls connected with said tread-bars,

wires, chains or cords connecting said barsand rollers, and other chains, wires or cords connecting said pawls and said levers, substantially as described.

3. In an automatic railroad-crossing gate, a shaft, a drum loosely mounted thereon, a pivoted gate connected with said drum, a guide engaging the same, loose rollers on said shaft, means for coupling either roller with the drum, and means whereby a rotating roller moves the other laterally, disks rigidly connected to the shaft-and means for the engagement of each by the adjacent roller when said roller is moved laterally and means actuated by passing trains for operating said rollers and gates, substantially as described.

4. In an automatic railroad-crossing gate, the combination of a shaft, a sleeve thereon, having a lateral movement, a drum rotatable on said sleeve, a gate connected with said drum, so as to be opened or closed thereby, laterallymovable rollers mounted on said shaft on each side of said drum, a clutchcoupling between the drum and each roller,

disks rigid on said shaft, each having a pin.

engageable with one of said rollers and also having a pin or pins on its outer face to e11- gage levers adjacent said disks, means for rotating said rollers, and locking devices for said roller-rotating means having wire or cord connections with said disk-operating levers, substantially as described.

5. In an automatic railWay-gate-operating mechanism, the combination of a tread-bar with a locking device therefor, a rotatable drum having a stationary guide, and means connected with said tread-bar and with said drum for rotating the latter; said means including a roller freely mounted on the shaft and adapted to engage said drum, a connection between said tread-bar and roller, and a chain connecting said drum with said gate.

6. In an automatic railway-gate-operating mechanism, a pivoted weighted gate, treadbars on opposite sides thereof, locking devices for said tread-bars, a shaft with two rollers freely mounted thereon, a drum having a stationary guide mounted on a sleeve on said shaft intermediate said rollers,-and means for its engagement with either of them, mechanism connected with each of said treadbars for operating one of said rollers and thereby rotating said drum, a chain connecting said drum with said gate and means connected with said shaft and with said locking devices for releasing the latter, said parts being combined substantially as described.

7. In an automatic railway-gate-operating mechanism, a gate, tread-bars on opposite sides thereof, locking devices for said treadbars, a shaft with loosely-mounted rollers thereon, a rotatable drum operated by engagement with either of said rollers, means connected with said rollers and tread-bars for operating the former, means connected with said drum and gate for operating the latter, a sleeve on the shaft of the rollers furnishing a bearing for said drum and adapted to be moved longitudinally on said shaft by the contact therewith of the hub of a roller so as to longitudinally move the other roller on the said shaft, disks rigidly connected to said shaft having projections on their outer faces and adapted to be engaged by said rollers when so moved so as to rotate therewith, and levers connected with said tread-bar-locking devices and actuated by contact with said projections for releasing said locking devices, said parts being combined substantially as described.

8. In an automatic railway-gate-operating mechanism, a gate, tread-bars with locking devices, a rotatable shaft with loose rollers thereon, a rotatable drum adapted to be retated by engagement with either of said rollers, means connected with said tread-bars for operating the rollers, means connecting said drum and gate for operating the latter, a sleeve on said shaft furnishing a bearing for said drum, means for moving said sleeve longitudinally on said shaft independently of said drum through the rotation of either one of said rollers and thereby longitudinally moving the other roller on said shaft, disks rigidly connected with said shaft and provided with means for engagement by said rollers so as to rotate therewith, levers connected with said tread-bar-locking devices, projections on said disks for striking said levers and releasing said locking devices, and devices for returning said rollers to their normal positions, said parts being combined substantially as described.

9. A railway-gate, in combination with movable tread-bars having locking devices, levers operated by the movement of said tread-bars, ashaft with loose rollers thereon, said rollers having a chain connection with said levers, a rotatable drum having a connection with said gate and adapted to be operated by engagement with either of said rollers, a releasing device for said locking devices connected with said rollers and with said shaft, and separate restoring devices for said rollers, drum, and gate.

10. A railway-gate, tread-bars with looking devices therefor, a shaft with rollers freely mounted thereon, a rotatable drum operated by engagement with either of said rollers, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and furnishing a bearing for said drum, said sleeve having IIO longitudinal movement on said shaft independent of said drum, a stationary guide therefor, projecting cam-hubs upon said rollers engaging with said sleeve so as longitudinally to move the same on said shaft or to be moved thereby, disks rigidly secured to said shaft and having pins to engage said rollers, and releasing means for said locking devices operated by rotation of said shaft, said parts being combined substantially as described.

11. Aweighted pivoted gate,movable treadbars with returning mechanism, locking devices for said tread-bars, a shaft with two rollers freely mounted thereon, means connecting said tread-bars and rollers for rotating the latter, a sleeve freely mounted on said shaft and having cam ends in engagement with hubs on said rollers so as to be moved longitudinally by the rotation of either of said rollers, and to move the opposite one, a drum freely mounted on said sleeve and having a stationary guide, disks rigidly secured to said shaft and provided with means for locking them to said rollers, levers connected with the locking devices of the treadbars and engaged by projections on said disks for releasing the same, and separate means for automatically returning said rollers and drums to their normal positions, said parts being combined substantially as described.

12. In an automatic railway-gate, the combination of a gate with a drum in connection therewith, a shaft on which said drum is loosely mounted, a guide keeping said drum from lateral movement, rollersloosely mounted on said shaft, and capable of lateral movement thereon, a disk fixed to the shaft on the outside of each of said rollers and engaged byit at the limit of its lateral movement, track devices actuated by a passing train for operating said rollers, and locking devices for said track devices operated by said disks, substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

1 HEINRICH SIEGMANN. \Vituesses:

VVQLDEMAR HAUPI, HENRY HASPER. 

